New I-69 interchange could help unsnarl traffic in Indiana

Officials say construction of the new interchange could begin in 2015, with state and federal sources covering about $15 million of the cost.

The Associated Press

12/18/2012

FISHERS, Ind. — Highway officials are planning a new interchange on an often-snarled section of Interstate 69 in suburban Indianapolis.

Fishers town manager Scott Fadness said the new interchange at 106th Street, about four miles northeast of I-465, will open up about 300 acres of undeveloped commercial property in an area that now has a large office for student loan company Sallie Mae.

"Imagine if we could get another Sallie Mae in there," Fadness told The Indianapolis Star. "You could easily have 5,000 to 7,000 more people going to work there some day."

The Fishers Town Council voted Monday night to dedicate $8 million toward the $25 million project for the new interchange.

Officials say construction of the new interchange could begin in 2015, with state and federal sources covering about $15 million of the cost.

The stretch of I-69 between 116th and 96th streets averages 108,000 vehicles a day, making it one of the most congested roadways in the Indianapolis area.

State highway department spokesman Will Wingfield said the project will give I-69 three interchanges to Fishers streets each about a mile apart in that section.

"This exit is focused on improving traffic for the local street network, opening up areas for economic development," Wingfield told WISH-TV. "That's important in this economy."

Traffic studies predict a 20 percent growth in traffic along the stretch of I-69 by 2035, which has the state highway department working to widen the highway in the first 10 miles north of I-465.